Pages

Thursday, July 29, 2010

This is a book about my great-great grandfather Robert Price. It was written by my great-uncle Ezra James Poulsen in 1962.

As you can see by the inscription page it was given to me as a Christmas present in 1980 by my grandma and grandpa Smedley.

I would like to share a letter from pages 35-36 that my gr-great-grandmother Matilda Kelsey wrote to Robert Price before they were married.

21 Alfred Place

Bedford Square

August, 1855

Dear Robert

It is with much pleasure that I received a letter from you yesterday morning. I am much obliged to you for the kindness of seeing after my dress. You are more kind than I deserve. I feel that I am not worthy of so much kindness and care, and that I am not worthy of you. Your spirit is much superior to my own; I feel that I am an ungrateful being, and I do not exercise as much patience as I ought. I only hope I shall be able to overcome all weaknesses and evil passions when I become your wife, and that I shall e er have a meek, humble and gentle spirit in all things. It is my desire to overcome all things and ever be firm in my day as a saint of God. I often feel my weaknesses. My spirit rebels and I know it ought not to do so. We ought to have meekness and honesty as our constant companions and guide, but how blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth, and he that humbleth himself shall be blessed. My prayer is, my dear Robert, that we may ever have that spirit of love and forebearance and meekness to every one and my prayer is that we may ever live together in pure love and harmony, that the evil spirit of contention and discord may never enter our dwelling,though it may be ever so humble. May it be the dwelling of love and peace that the spirit of God may ever dwell there. May our children partake of the same spirit, that they may grow up strong and valiant in the house of God. May this be our happy lot, dear Robert, it will be a blesssing worth striving for, and promises much as we strive we shall gain it. May God grant that we may have firmness and energy to do so, is my prayer (fervent) for Christ's sake Amen.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Although these items have never been in my immediate family and I have never actually seen or touched them, they still mean something to me because they are Piggott family heirlooms.

This bread plate and soup terrine were among the possessions that my 3rd great-grandmother packed up to take with them on their long journey from New Bedford, Massachusetts to the Salt Lake Valley in 1853.

April 18, 1853 George Washington and Catherine Allen Howland Piggott along with children, Abbie Ann, William Henry, and Rowena Allen left their home in New Bedford, Massachusetts and took the 3 o'clock train to New York City to visit with George's mother and surviving siblings before they moved out west.

After visiting with the family for a few days they left New York City on a train to Portland, New York where Captain Jesse W. Crosby was waiting for the saints to arrive. They boarded a steamer that took them to Keokuk, Illinois. Once in Keokuk they were outfitted with a wagon and cattle and made the rest of the journey with Captain Cyrus Wheelock. They lost little Rowena to smallpox and she was buried out on the prairie June 7, 1853. They arrived in the Salt Lake Valley between the 6th and 16th of October 1853.

The heirlooms were handed down to Abbie Ann Piggott, then to her daughter Abbie Rowena Slater, and on to her daughter Abbie Ann Johnson. Their families have graciously donated these artifacts to the DUP's Pioneer Memorial Museum in Salt Lake. The pictures are courtesy of cousin Cindy (thanks cuz!)

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Today's treasures I have pulled from grandma Hazel's stuff and want to share them with you before I send them on the road to my latest cousin connection, Fran. Actually, Fran is a treasure all in herself.

I was going through all of my Madsen & Piggott information and I found a copy of a typed history of my Madsen great-great grandparents. There was no citation or note as to where this history was copied from or when. Luckily however, there was a notation at the bottom stating who wrote the narrative; Frances (Madsen) Towle.

I knew that name. She is the daughter of grandma Hazel's brother Franklin Madsen. So I took the chance in searching for her phone number and I actually found it. I dialed the number and her son cut off the answering machine when he answered. She wasn't there, but I explained who I was and he said he would have her call me. I thought "cool". This was July 1, 2010.

Later that day she called me and was quite excited, as was I. I guess the answering machine had recorded my conversation with her son and that is how she got my number to call. The crazy thing is that she had been trying to get a hold of me for quite a while. She said she Googled someone and up popped my blog post Surname Saturday -- Bake, she said to herself, "I think that's my grandmother's father". She had tried to call other Piggott relatives to try to find out who I was and how to contact me, but was unsuccessful and frustrated. I think we both decided that this was 'divine intervention', if you will.

So my great-grandma Piggott is her aunt Hazel and they were very close. It's kind of weird, I have never heard anyone call her "aunt Hazel" before. I don't know quite how to explain it, but this new connection makes me feel closer to grandma Hazel as if she brought us together herself.

Check this out:

Frances Ann age 2

Leslie Ann age 3

Anyway, these postcards were sent to grandma Hazel from her brother Frank Madsen, who is Frances' father. He was about 10 years old when he wrote the first one, and 13 when he wrote the other. I feel that these particular postcards should be in her family so I am sending them to her.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Here is another item that I found at the Charleston Antique Mall while I was in Vegas. It is a 1924 Eighth Grade commencement program for St. Joseph's school in Granite City, Illinois. Judging by the underlined name of William McCormick I am guessing that this particular program belonged to him or one of his family members.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Wow! Today is my one year blogoversary! I just might go make a cake . It is hard to believe that it has been a year already.

I have really enjoyed going on lost family treasure safaris inside the antique stores and flea markets. Finding the proper owners for these precious keepsakes really means a lot to me. I have been able to reunite three item so far with family members. The most meaningful one; to me; was the Powell-Hansley Family Bible. I would like to share with you an excerpt of an email that the family member sent me:

"I have been trying to make a dent in my family ancestry for Hansley. My father is James W Hansley who passed in October 2001. I am very much interested in possessing that bible. I lost family possessions and have very little to go on. Please tell me what information you would need from me. I truly believe that the Lord has answered my prayers. You are an angel sent from above. I believe that finding your site was designed by God's purpose."

I have also enjoyed being a part of this wonderful genealogy community. You guys rock! Now let's eat cake!

Friday, July 9, 2010

This is another photo that I found at the Charleston Antique Mall. I haven't done much research on this because I am not sure what exactly the writing on the back means. This is either the grandparents of Jane E Sidney Smith, or this is Jane & Sidney Smith, somebody's grandparents.

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

This is Miss Minnie Klause according to what is written on the back side of this photo. If this little girl is ten years old or younger, them I may have found the right Minnie.

The photographer was Alfred Bennefeld from St. Louis, Missouri. According to a list of Early St. Louis Photographers his shop was located at the corner of Dorcas St & Carondelet Av. starting in 1880. It doesn't say how long he was there, but according to the Missouri State Archives he died 21 May 1900 in Jackson County. So I estimate the photo to be taken around 1899/1900.